Ford Ranger

[RevvedUpGaming]

So I have a 1987 Ford Ranger Xlt Cab, so I was wondering if there are any cool things or just all around better to do to it.... Also I was wondering if anyone knew what is the biggest size of engine I could put into it without any modifications.

[dizmo]

Should be able to fit a 4.0L pretty easily and I imagine people have stuck a Mustang engine into it.

I'd also look into:

• Better rear ends
• Better brakes
• Lift kit
• New shocks/springs
• Stereo

[Sam Z Man]

Just remember your return on investment will be almost nothing.

[Speedyv]

Just remember your return on investment will be almost nothing.

 

Smiles per gallon are priceless

[Statik]

I'm going to leave my hate of ford out of this, especially the ranger.

 

You can't just drop a massive block in and call it a day. You're going to require an assload of supporting mods, and to do that to a '87 Ranger is just a money pit.

[bob345]

So I have a 1987 Ford Ranger Xlt Cab, so I was wondering if there are any cool things or just all around better to do to it.... Also I was wondering if anyone knew what is the biggest size of engine I could put into it without any modifications.

There is no such thing as an engine swap that does not require modification. Personally, i wouldnt dump any money into a ford ranger. They are work trucks. They do what they are made for well, but there is very little you can do to make them better.

[terrytek]

Smiles per gallon are priceless

take this into consideration. you'll have a more fun car to drive, despite how much money you blow on it.

 

 

Should be able to fit a 4.0L pretty easily and I imagine people have stuck a Mustang engine into it.

I'd also look into:

• Better rear ends
• Better brakes
• Lift kit
• New shocks/springs
• Stereo

 

IF you do plan to lift it, you can do this, but no lift kit is complete without some proper rims and tires. stock rims and tires on a lift kit just looks flat out wrong.

[terrytek]

There is no such thing as an engine swap that does not require modification. Personally, i wouldnt dump any money into a ford ranger. They are work trucks. They do what they are made for well, but there is very little you can do to make them better.

i've seen them used for offroading. they actually as good of an offroader as a toyota pickup of that era.

[Whorax]

Just remember your return on investment will be almost nothing.

Car people don't care about such things. At least not with cars.

[bob345]

i've seen them used for offroading. they actually as good of an offroader as a toyota pickup of that era.

yeah, but once you get to that point, the only original part of the truck is going to be the sheet metal body. Nearly all the ranger crawlers or baja builds i have seen dont even use the factory frame. And if they do, they are boxed in to keep from flexing.

[Sam Z Man]

I'm going to leave my hate of ford out of this, especially the ranger.

 

You can't just drop a massive block in and call it a day. You're going to require an assload of supporting mods, and to do that to a '87 Ranger is just a money pit.

Preach brother, fords are the devils work.

[terrytek]

yeah, but once you get to that point, the only original part of the truck is going to be the sheet metal body. Nearly all the ranger crawlers or baja builds i have seen dont even use the factory frame. And if they do, they are boxed in to keep from flexing.

ok, my friends who offroad rangers aren't that extreme. it's more recreational offroading. they have decent lift kits, offroad tires and rims, lights, and a bullbar. i think it's pretty adequate for offroading. and in terms of power, they've got a cold air intake as well as a bigger intake manifold. so pretty well for a small truck. oh yeah, not to mention, ca legal exhaust headers too.

[Sam Z Man]

Car people don't care about such things. At least not with cars.

I do.

[johnny5c]

With that year Ranger I would first upgrade the front brakes, they have single piston calipers and undersized rotors.  There's a company that makes a bracket that will let you use 12" rotors with the dual piston calipers, knuckles, and I-beams from a 95-97 Ranger.

[terrytek]

With that year Ranger I would first upgrade the front brakes, they have single piston calipers and undersized rotors.  There's a company that makes a bracket that will let you use 12" rotors with the dual piston calipers, knuckles, and I-beams from a 95-97 Ranger.

either that or you can go with 6 piston brembo brakes.

 

/joke

 

i think 2 piston is sufficient, 4 if you really wanna stop it.